BUY WITH YOUR HOME IN MIND
Choose by the tools you will use
Choose the Little Green ProHeat 2513G if you want a dedicated stair tool and more room for clean water. Choose the Max Pet 3860 if lighter carrying and a stain tool with a built-in cleanout mode matter more.
Neither set of features proves better stain removal. Both spray cleaning solution and pull dirty liquid into a separate tank. The useful differences are how you carry them, which tool fits the job and what you need to rinse afterward.
What ProHeat means
BISSELL describes the 2513G’s Heatwave feature as helping maintain water temperature. Do not buy it expecting it to heat cold water or produce steam. You still prepare the tank with water and compatible portable-cleaner formula as its manual directs.
The ProHeat name appears on different machines and bundles. This comparison is for model 2513G, not another Little Green or a SmartMix model. Match the model number and included tools before ordering.
When the stair tool helps
The ProHeat includes a 3-in-1 Stair Tool as well as a small stain tool. That gives you a dedicated option for stair surfaces and edges. Its HydroRinse attachment is for flushing the hose after cleaning.
The Max Pet takes a different approach: its stain tool has a cleanout lever, and the bundle includes a pet-hair tool. A pet label or hair attachment does not establish better odor removal. Vacuum loose fur before wet cleaning with either machine.
For more choices, see our portable carpet cleaners for stairs.
Carrying and refilling
The Max Pet is lighter when empty. That may matter more than a larger tank if you carry the cleaner up steps or take it out for frequent small messes. Water adds weight to either machine.
The ProHeat’s clean-water tank is larger, so it can hold more prepared solution at once. How often you refill still depends on how much you spray; a larger tank does not show stronger suction or better stain removal. The table above compares the same tank type and shows the modest hose-length difference.
Cleanup and review concerns
The ProHeat’s separate hose-rinse attachment and the Max Pet’s tool cleanout mode both leave other work to do. Empty and rinse the dirty tank, clear hair from the tool and let removable parts dry. Use each model’s own instructions rather than swapping rinse procedures.
Reviews include praise for ease of use, but also reports of leaks and mixed cleaning results. Those reports are reasons to check the return policy and inspect the machine when it arrives, rather than assume either model will solve every stain.
When checked, the ProHeat listing offered marketplace buying options rather than a featured offer. Check the seller, condition, included tools and returns before comparing it with the Max Pet. This is not a price-based recommendation.
If you prefer a smaller machine, our Little Green Mini vs Max Pet comparison covers another pair. For spills on furniture, check the couch’s cleaning instructions before using either cleaner.